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A woman died yesterday after slipping and falling on Mount Ruapehu during a group climb.
Mount Ruapehu.
Photo: 123RF
Police said a group of nine were climbing the east side of the mountain and the woman slipped and fell at around 12:30 pm while passing through Cathedral Rocks.
One of her group managed to get close to her and call emergency services, but the helicopters were unable to reach her due to strong winds.
Search and rescue teams on the ground found the woman and the group around 5.40pm and carried her on a stretcher to Tukino Lodge, where she was pronounced dead.
“This is an absolutely tragic event for the woman who died, her family and friends, and her fellow climbers,” said Sheriff Barry Shepherd.
“Many in the group were relatively new climbers, but they were well prepared and although the weather changed throughout the day, when they got out, the conditions were right.
“While this was not the outcome anyone wanted, I want to acknowledge the bravery of those in the group who came down for several hours to help her, as well as two other climbers who crossed the scene and stopped to help her.
“I also want to thank all the men and women of LandSAR who worked tirelessly through the afternoon and into the night in absolutely shocking weather to return the deceased to his family and rescue the rest of the group from the mountain.”
This morning, the local hapū Ngāti Hikairo blessed the site.
Shepherd now said that the rescue itself is for those who knew the woman was accepting what happened.
“They are feeling pretty tired this morning.
“And naturally, the parents of women who live in England will be more devastated; it is quite difficult when their daughter dies, who is having a good time on the opposite side of the world. That is very sad.”
